Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Are There Only Perverts in This School?
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"Is that everything?"
Catherine's explanation of Paradise's rules was more straightforward than I'd expected. Just the kind of things you'd typically find in a young ladies' academy?
"The rules are over, but there's still common sense in Paradise."
"Common sense?"
Catherine cautiously took my wrist and placed a few sheets of paper in my palm. They looked like bills...
"What I just handed to you, Yujin, is 'Talent.' You can use it to buy necessities in Paradise or to do specific things."
Talent. Not from this life, but from long ago—I vaguely remembered getting some at a church when I wanted to get close to a girl I liked.
"If it's for necessities, can I buy a phone?"
"If that's what you want."
"For real!?"
"Of course, it's an old model that only does calls and texts."
What? I got excited for nothing. Well, duh... They'd confiscate phones and sell them on their own network—that'd make them total thugs. Not that they don't already seem like thugs...
"You get a fixed amount of Talent every week, or more if you perform good deeds or participate in activities in Paradise. How luxurious your life here becomes is pretty much up to you, Yujin."
"Um, Catherine. Isn't this a young ladies' school? Everyone except me is rich, right? So couldn't they just get whatever they need among themselves? Why even allow something like this?"
"All activities in Paradise have been pre-approved by the lambs' parents. The parents, who wish for their children's growth, all consented gladly."
No wonder Grandmother didn't give me any pocket money after I started dorm life.
"I've gone on too long. Well then, Yujin, shall we go?"
Unlike the first day when she'd forcibly grabbed my wrist and dragged me, Catherine now held out her hand and looked at me.
I had no idea where to go, so no reason to refuse, but why the sudden attitude change overnight? The bandage too...
Hmm, she probably thinks she bit too hard herself? I'm not a puppy—why bite my neck?
"Sure."
As I took Catherine's hand, her expressionless face broke into a faint smile. It tickled me somehow, so I looked down.
* * *
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Following Catherine, we arrived at a building far larger than my current dormitory or even the huge one I'd seen first.
Its church-like exterior and the massive Mary statue in the center drove home that this was no ordinary school.
Bzzz—.
"...Why is only this place high-tech?"
The school buildings looked a bit old, but the door to the interior was automatic. They seem to value tradition—why install something like this?
"One student saved up Talent and replaced this door."
"You can do that too?"
"If you want."
This Talent thing... seems way broader than I thought. I figured it'd just be for snacks at most.
"Since you don't know much about Paradise yet, Yujin, let me explain a bit."
I'm already plenty surprised, and there's more? Every hallway has AC, and even the latest water purifiers.
"Indoor pool, golf course, soccer field, baseball field, theater stage, year-round greenhouse, club rooms, etc. Every facility you can imagine is here."
"...Huh?"
"Of course, no arcade or computer rooms, but pretty much every convenience for students is available."
Ahh, this school's beyond my common sense.
I thought a young ladies' school meant praying and studying in church every day, but it's way more open than I imagined...
"All these facilities are the result of past students pooling their efforts. They couldn't enjoy them themselves, but they're symbols of good deeds for their juniors."
Hearing it that way makes it sound amazing. Saving up steadfastly without benefiting themselves... Noblesse oblige, huh?
Could I do that? Nah, probably not. I'd spend it as soon as I got it.
"We're here."
"This is a classroom? Not what I imagined... I mean, I can imagine it, but it doesn't look like a normal one?"
We'd gone up about three floors. The door here was maybe three times my height.
Even compared to the classrooms I'd passed, this was hugely bigger—no way it was ordinary. Staff room? Something like that?
"Not a classroom, but it'll be your place from now on, Yujin."
Creeeak—.
As Catherine opened the door, the room's interior slowly came into view.
Dark without lights, but countless twinkling stars cast a soft, fantastical glow.
"...A planetarium?"
"This place exists only for five people—the brightest stars in Paradise gather here. It's called 'Cherum.'"
One step inside, and the stars scattered across the vast ceiling gathered to form a Milky Way.
I don't particularly like stargazing, but who could pass by beauty like this?
"Yujin. Welcome to 'Stella.'"
"Stella...?"
In the room now fully lit by starlight stood a large round table, surrounded by four seated figures.
Airi waving hello, Josephine ignoring us and reading her book.
And two unknowns.
Their common traits: all breathtaking beauties, oozing class. Me in a place like this?
"Catherine, I think you've got the wrong person... Shouldn't it be someone else? My family's not rich."
"Impossible. I'm never wrong. No one else—it's you, Yujin."
"Why... me?"
Ignoring my question, Catherine grabbed my dazed hand at the entrance and forcibly led me to sit next to Airi.
Good that it was next to somewhat-friendly Airi, but the piercing stares from the other two—except Josephine—hurt.
"Today, Yujin becomes a new Stella member, so in one hour, we'll announce it to all students. Get to know each other until then."
Ahh, I'm dreaming, right? Even introducing myself in a class of 20-30 was a headache—now public humiliation in front of the whole school?
Why didn't I run yesterday? If I'd foreseen this, I'd have escaped no matter what... Not like I could predict it.
"Seo-ah, Karin. First time seeing Yujin, right? Please introduce yourselves briefly."
The two named by Catherine nodded and exchanged glances. Soon deciding order, the ponytail girl spoke first.
"You're cute."
"Huh?"
"Right up my alley. Wanna ditch that rundown dorm and come to my Domus Dormitory? Hm?"
As the ponytail girl stood, her presence was suffocating.
Shorter than Airi, but her toned build and striking red hair screamed strength.
"I heard someone new was coming from Catherine, but I didn't expect someone this cute."
"Um, could you back off a bit? It's hot."
Now behind me, Ponytail—Karin—wrapped her arm around my neck and rested her chin on my head.
Not heavy, but it felt like a beast had my throat—like instinct, I shot Airi a pleading look.
"Karin-senpai... Yujin-junior is my junior."
Airi! You get it! Upgraded from idiot perv to just perv!
Airi stood too, pushed Karin away, and hugged me gently.
Airi's large, soft body felt amazing to hug. In the bath too... Ugh, forget that.
"Heh... Airi was the baby until now? Makes sense you'd get attached."
Karin shook her head a few times and surprisingly returned to her seat.
But that sly grin staring right at me suggested she was plotting something...
I don't wanna get tangled with her, but she'll probably force it anyway...
"Seo-ah, your turn. Introduce yourself to the cute junior quick."
One person had watched impassively.
Sitting at the head, exuding the most mysterious aura... Is she the boss? Prettiest, if anything.
"Choi Seo-ah."
Choi Seo-ah's voice was ice-cold and heavy, instantly chilling the room.
Even Josephine, who'd ignored the commotion for her book, glanced her way.
"Top Star of Stella."
But she didn't say more. Done, she gazed back at the starry ceiling.
Blunt type, but that's my preference. Not annoying like that Karin!
"Yujin-junior. You know my name, right?"
"Yeah. Airi?"
"Hehe... If anything dangerous happens, I'll help you."
Airi, thanks for protecting me, but can you let go now? Your chest has been against my arm awhile...
I gently pushed Airi away, and she obediently stepped back. Airi's the best of these four, maybe.
"Introductions done. Still time before students gather in the auditorium, so snack time."
Catherine, who'd vanished at some point, brought a large plate and set it on the table.
Assorted snacks screamed luxury at a glance.
I know macarons somewhat, but the rest? Western sweets, probably.
"Ah, I recommend Yujin eat just a little. You have to stand before the whole school—eating too much might cause issues."
My hand, reaching eagerly, froze at Catherine's words.
Damn... Don't say it. I was blissfully forgetting...
"...Do I really have to?"
"Yes."
"The other four too?"
"They did."
"...Airi too?"
"Hehe... I did."
No escape... Save me...